Winery
of the Week: Sol Rouge - Lake County
At
Sol Rouge winery, they have a special affinity
with Rhone grape varieties. Cultivating fruit from the unique
terroir of Lake County in northern California, winemaker Bryan
Kane crafts small-production wines that showcase the special
qualities of their vines. Here's what our tasting panel had
to say about a handful of their current offerings:
Click
on labels to enlarge |
Sol
Rouge 2012 Syrah
Winery:
Sol Rouge
Grape(s): 100% Syrah
Region: Lake County, Ca
Year:
2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 30-35
Review:
Aromas of cherries, raspberries, and plums mingle with
traces of all-spice, leather, and cedar on the nose. A
sip delivers flavors of plum and bramble fruit that unfold
into nuances of smoked meat, spice, and clove on the palate.
Dark concentrated fruit and rich tannins make this a fine
bottle to pair with tri-tip. 175 cases produced.
Rating: 90 |
|
Sol
Rouge 2012 Mourvedre
Winery:
Sol Rouge
Grape(s): 100% Mourvedre
Region: Lake County, Ca
Year:
2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 25-30
Review:
Notes of bramble fruit, cherry, and plum come together
with nuances of earth and vanilla on the nose. With a
sip, flavors of raspberries, cherries, and blackberries
blend with whispers of baking spice and smoked meat. Smooth
tannins and bright flavors make this a very approachable
wine.
Rating: 89 |
|
Sol
Rouge 2012 Petite Sirah
Winery:
Sol Rouge
Grape(s): 100% Petite Sirah
Region: Lake County, Ca
Year:
2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 30-35
Review:
A bouquet of blueberries, plums, black cherries, and sweet
spice rises up from a glass. The palate delivers flavors
of cherry, plum and blueberry along with allusions of
camp fire oak, clove, and dusty earth. Dark and concentrated,
pair a bottle with BBQ ribs. 75 cases produced.
Rating: 89 |
|
Sol
Rouge 2013 Viognier
Winery:
Sol Rouge
Grape(s): 100% Viognier
Region: Lake County, Ca
Year:
2013
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 30-35
Review:
Blossoms and minerals on the nose. Notes of ripe peach,
dried apricot, and crisp pear interweave with traces of
orange blossoms and honey on the palate. A welcoming acidity
and a round, chalky mouth-feel, make this wine well suited
for grilled swordfish. 100 cases were made.
Rating: 88 |
|
Sol
Rouge 2013 "Gypsy Blanc" Blend
Winery:
Sol Rouge
Grape(s): Marsanne, Roussanne, &
Viognier
Region: Lake County, Ca
Year:
2013
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 25-30
Review:
Fragrances of stone fruits, tropical fruits, and orange
blossoms greet the senses. The palate shows flavors of
ripe peach, passion fruit, and apricot that unfold into
suggestions of honey, white blossoms, and minerals. With
a pleasant acidity and lush mouth-feel, fans of white
Rhone-style blends ought to try a bottle. 150 cases produced.
Rating: 89 |
Other
Related Links:
Sol
Rouge
Note:
Wines rated with a "+" have not yet reached their
peak quality but will do so over the next few years
By
Jason Barlow
96
— 100 |
Spectacular |
92
— 95 |
Outstanding |
89
— 91 |
Great |
85
— 88 |
Good |
81
— 84 |
Solid |
|
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